New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos – AFC Championship Game Preview

Tom Brady got the better of old friends Peyton Manning and Wes Welker in the Patriot’s visit to New England in a come-from-behind classic earlier this year. But with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line, can Manning seal the deal at Mile High?

NFL Football Betting Preview: Patriots vs. Broncos

Game Details:

When: 3:00 PM ET, January 19, 2014

Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, CO

Odds:

*As of January 13, 2014.

Money: Patriots (+170) vs. Broncos (-200)

Spread: Patriots (+4.5) vs. Broncos (-4.5)

Totals: 55.5

Betting on the New England Patriots

The New England Patriots find themselves in the AFC championship game for the third year in a row. However, they’re once again just one win away from the Super Bowl and not because of Tom Brady’s arm or their high-powered passing attack. [sc:NFL240banner ]

Instead, the praise must go to the Patriots’ running game, led by the unheralded LeGarrette Blount. Blount followed up his breakout 189-yard, 2 TD game in Week 16 with a historic 166-yard, 4 TD performance against the Colts. Stevan Ridley also added two touchdown runs to make the Pats just the third team in NFL history with 6 or more rushing TDs in a playoff game.

Brady didn’t throw a touchdown pass vs. the Colts and has now thrown just two TD passes in the Pats’ last three games while completing just over 54% of his passes. Incidentally, New England is now 4-0 SU when Brady doesn’t throw a TD pass in a playoff game. But don’t let the low numbers deceive; as Brady has shown both against the Broncos and the Browns, he’s still more than capable of throwing big touchdowns.

The Pats’ defense has also been outstanding lately. Despite being decimated by injuries, they have forced nine turnovers in their last three games, including a four-interception schooling of Andrew Luck. The unit was also partly responsible for Peyton Manning’s worst statistical game of the season, holding him to just 150 yards on 53% completion in their Week 12 meeting.

Can the Pats make it two Super Bowl trips in three years? New England is 6-1 SU in last 7 games. Bet now on the New England Patriots.

Betting on the Denver Broncos

The San Diego Chargers played the Broncos close, but Peyton Manning eventually prevailed to win his first playoff game in four years. The MVP-elect did his damage early, passing for two touchdowns in the first half en route to 230 yards while completing over 69% of his passes despite howling winds.

The combination of Manning and the Knowshon Moreno-Montee Ball running back platoon (33 carries, 134 yards) iced the game enough for Denver to neutralize a Chargers comeback. The duo also combined for 264 yards against the Patriots at Foxboro earlier in the year. [sc:NFL240banner ]

The Denver defense was playing outstandingly against San Diego. They shut out the Chargers for three quarters, but surrendered 17 points in the fourth quarter. The Broncos famously let a 24-point lead slip against their next opponent, one they don’t wish to happen again.

The return of star cornerback Champ Bailey before the game was a major plus, but other key defensive back Chris Harris Jr. has now fallen with injury. Not coincidentally, the Chargers began their revival with Harris no longer on Keenan Allen.

Manning last faced the Pats at home in the 2006 conference championship, which is incidentally the last road game that New England has played. Manning famously led an extraordinary final drive to give the Colts victory and went on to win the Super Bowl.

Will the Pats once again be Peyton Manning’s gateway to a Super Bowl triumph? Denver is 8-1 SU in its last 9 home games. Bet now on the Denver Broncos.

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